Hi MINI Folks,
We had a clear bra applied to our Z3 when it was new (70,000 miles ago) and the front end is still in great shape... so we KNEW we would have a clear bra applied to our MINI Cooper S. When we bought our MCS in May, we immediately had a clear bra installed and immediately had problems with it (bad install, in spite of costing $450 or so); that same company re-did the installation and the second job was worse. We weren't about to have them botch it a 3rd time and we never called them again, simply did an Internet search, found half-a-dozen companies around our area doing clear bras, talked to them on the phone, picked one... and lucked out, they did a terrific job. Ours was the first MINI Cooper S with an aero kit that they did, so they had to digitize the front end of our car and make a pattern. Anyway, they did the install in September and this all came back up because I just found out (today!) that there is an article & pictures online (www.speedoptions.com) about installing the clear bra on our MCS. If you're considering a clear bra to protect the front end of your MINI, you may want to check out the article & photos:

http://www.speedoptions.com/articles/3029/

Cheers to a chip-free front end,
Tom & Shannon Wiggins
http://home.earthlink.net/~bmwmini

 

I have the 3M clear bra on my MCS and it is really good. This was one of those dealer options that you had to buy with a new MCS from Ferman in Palm Harbor Florida. I am actually happy that I have this on the car as I do a lot of hwy driving and I have no chips in the paint after 15K miles.

Kesh

 

I also got the 3M clear bra from the dealer (not required though) and am really happy. Only 1300 miles so far, but I have no scratches, nics or peeling. There are some other brands out there besides 3M and I have seen some posts here and on other sites about the poor quality. 3M IMO is the only way to go.

 

>>I have the 3M clear bra on my MCS and it is really good.

*** The Star Shield Armor clear bra we have is also 3M, as was the first clear bra we had installed (and reapplied and later removed) on our MCS. Likewise, the clear bra on our Z3 (made by Stongard) is also 3M. Actually, every single clear bra company I researched uses 3M material ("ScotchCal" or something). The differences are in the quality of the patterns, the different length of warranties, price differences... and, most important, the installation quality.

I forgot to give a direct link to the Star Shield Armor web site on my original post, it's http://www.starshieldarmor.com/public/index.htm

The Chili Red MCS on the first page of their website is our baby

 

How do these things hold up over time? I would worry about the bra itself yellowing over time and perhaps peeling or chipping. And what about the paint? Does it fade differently over time? Are the bras removable?

I'm getting my Cooper in June and am considering having the dealer install one but I'm worried about what it will look like 5 years from now. I plan on keeping my MINI for at least 10 years and don't want to have it look like crap by then.

Bill

 

Not a big fan of the bras. Any of them.

To each there own, but for the price, hassle and look I'd rather stay bare with a good shine and -if- I pick up enough nicks then pay the price to touchup or repaint.

But if you like them, and can get them installed perfect, and can keep them looking good.... More power to ya.